My Mum had early onset Alzhiemers at 50 and died at 55. The last 5 years of her life were full of confusion, upset, hurt and love. Not once did she get cross. She was a beautiful soul throughout it all.

It broke our hearts watching such a vibrant, happy, kind lady be unable to find her way around, to not always know who we were, to have lost the words to write, for her sheet music to be all jumbled up so she couldn't play piano, to be frightened as she lost her adult knowledge.

She would walk into walls and doors and her beautiful face would be black and blue, just covered in swelling and bruises. She would chat away to herself, irritated and agitated by not being able to communicate what she so wanted to share.

When we realised I had become her sister it was easier to care for her, to embrace her and love her as she needed. She knew she loved me but it wasn't always clear how.

I miss my mum every day. I wanted her to be the amazing grandmother that she always wanted to be, I wanted my children to know her. I wanted her to still be with us all, sharing in our lives, playing games, teaching piano, going on holiday together.

She was the most amazing, kind hearted lady full of fun and love. Alzheimers took her too young and I run for her, my grandma and my Uncle Stuart, who all suffered at the hands of this disease.

I want to help ensure others don't suffer as they did and as we did as a family.

I ran my first 10km ever last month, I need to get to 22km!! This is not going to be easy but I am determined to finish it, even if I am crawling by the end. This is not something I ever thought I could do but sometimes you have to step right out your comfort zone to try and make a difference and share what has happened to ensure support and care continues for others.

Please help support me and my wish to help those going through Alzheimers find peace.

At Alzheimer’s Society we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future.